Arcare- nursing services

Arcare has been a proud provider of aged care services for almost 50 years across Victoria and Queensland and, more recently in New South Wales.

During this time, the aged care sector has experienced enormous change.

Arcare has earned a reputation for developing innovative approaches to aged care, which respect the dignity and independence of the client.

Arcare recognises the emotional, physical and financial investment associated with joining a new community. We are committed to nurturing an environment where people feel emotionally and physically secure and supported.

We recognise and honour the depth of experience and meaning in the lives of all community members, and commit to being perceptive and supportive of their sensitivities, hopes and desires.

Our team members

Arcare provides nursing 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

All of Arcare’s staff – both in our aged care residences and those providing in-home support – have a minimum Certificate III in Aged Care and have undergone police and reference checks to ensure the safety of our residents.

All of our nursing staff are registered with the Australian Health Professionals Registration Agency. Arcare ensures all staff training and certification is up-to-date.

At Arcare, our induction for new staff always includes education on our values and our Relationship-First Approach.

Relationship-First Approach

In 2012, after extensive consultation within our own communities and other stakeholders, Arcare created its Relationship-First model of care.

We recognise that the quality of our relationships has a major impact on our physical, psychological and spiritual well-being. This Relationship-First Approach reflects the centrality of relationships in all of our lives.

A central aspect of our Relationship-First Approach to aged care is the philosophical shift from treating old age as a sickness to celebrating longevity.

Our employees are encouraged to continually reflect on how their own day-to-day thoughts and actions might contribute to this strength-based approach to celebrating and supporting old age.

Our Relationship-First Approach applies to each of our clients whether they be new residents in one of our aged care communities, receiving one-off respite or benefitting from our in-home care services.

Arcare’s Relationship-First Approach has received local and international acclaim and we are regularly invited to talk about it at conferences.

Dedicated Assignment

Central to our Relationship-First Approach is Dedicated Assignments.

There are three key features of Dedicated Assignments:

All team members work with the same small group of clients during each of their shifts

All team members commit to working a minimum number of three shifts per week

Clients and families are able to build solid relationships with Arcare team members and provide feedback on the staff they are interacting with.

Dedicated Assignments was developed following consultation with those within the Arcare community.

It fosters nurturing, consistent and trusting relationships between clients and Arcare team members

Families have also reported an increased sense of comfort knowing their loved one is in the hands of team members they trust and have an ongoing relationship with.

Arcare’s mobile Quality Audit Team monitors the impact the Dedicated Assignment is having on clients and team members alike to ensure the system is working to its fullest potential.

When one of our aged care residences is validated as 100% compliant, it is awarded Dedicated Assignment Certification. To view a list of our certified residences click here.

In November 2015, Arcare received the Federal Government’s Better Practice Award for our Dedicated Assignments.

Arcare staff have also been invited to be serve on a number of advisory panels for the aged care sector.

It’s this level of innovation, and ongoing training and support that sees Arcare remain as an industry benchmark.